I`m about grade 6 standard on flute, and normally, i love it. But at the moment, I`m just not enjoying it. I don`t know why, but I never want to practice and i`m not enthusiastic like I was before. Also, I`m in 3 bands, 2 of which I`ve started recently, and can`t really just stop doing them. I feel like flute is taking over my life, at a time when I don`t want to spend ages playing. Has anyone got any advice?

First fo all...Dont quit because you WILL regert it. My friend had this problem recently.

Try not to play the flute too much for a while (maybe have a week not playing at all) it really does work because my friend tried when she wanted to quit.

Hope this helps :-)

When I was about 16 I stopped enjoying flute playing because
1. I came to see the sound as almost always sad and longing. I tended to play most when I was sad, and it made me sadder.
2. The time needed took too much from my exploration of the rest of life.

I stopped having lessons, bought a clarinet, which had a warm sound, and taught myself.

During that year I stopped practising under pressure, and played along, without music, to recordings of anything, flute or otherwise. Because I was not focusing on reading music, and was focusing on enjoying the sound I made, my tone & phrasing improved more that year than any other.

I went back to flute somewhat more seriously later. No harm done. No regrets, and I developed a much richer life, outside a dominance of flute playing.

I agree with Angelgirl. You might want to take maybe a week off from practicing and flute in general. Other ways you could get "inspired" again is to:
1. listen to recordings of your favorite flutist.
2. attend a live concert
3. perform before a live concert

You might also want to think about if you really want to pursue music and the flute for a career. If you don`t, then don`t sweat it! Don`t spend half of your life practicing if you don`t want to play flute seriously. If you do want to pursue music then I would think "but if I don`t practice then I wont be able to get into _____ School" or something similar to that. Just remember to have fun!

1, 2, & 3 are good suggestions. Another is to find a group to play with which has a strong and enjoyable social element to it.

Take a break. Go to an amusment park or something and just have fun. Get your mind off of it for a little while.

It seems that "take a break" is the overwhelming suggestion from a lot of experienced people.

Remember to keep a good balance in your life.